Practice stands between dream and reality

Innovative ideas for devices or treatment strategies are interesting topics for research. The SL SCAN-1 was such an idea, during a period in which the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technique was still in its infancy, and forms the first part of this thesis. The SL SCAN-1 is an OCT device integrated into a slit lamp, able to obtain OCT images of sufficient quality for the daily outpatient ophthalmological clinic. With the unique integration of the OCT device into a slit lamp different benefits arise. The SL SCAN-1 is capable to make OCT scans not only of the posterior pole and the anterior segment, but even of the anterior chamber angle and the more peripheral retina by using a three-mirror contact lens, all during a standard slit lamp examination. This frontrunner was one of the many upcoming ideas with technical improvements that unfortunately did not last. This thesis will retain the ideas behind the SL SCAN-1, the added value, and its disadvantages. The second part of this thesis evaluates the single spot limited Photodynamic therapy in circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. A frontrunner treatment by limiting a few variables in the Photodynamic therapy protocol, improving safety while keeping the high success rate. This successful protocol resulted in preserving good visual acuity over the years but had unfortunately a higher recurrence rate than expected. The most optimal treatment protocol for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma is not known and can be determined in future research with visual acuity as primary outcome.